Maintenance & Service Guide
Presario 1660 Model
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Pin Assignments | Battery Pack Operations
Solving Minor Problems
Some minor problems and possible solutions are outlined in the following tables. If the problem
appears related to a software application, check the documentation provided with the software.
Audio Battery pack Battery gauge CD/DVD drive Diskette/diskette drive Display
Hard drive
Hardware installation Keyboard Memory PC card Power Printer
Touchpad/pointing device
Audio Problems
Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Computer does not beep after the
Power-On Self-Test (POST).
This is typical; it indicates successful
completion of the Power-On Self-Test
(POST).
No action is
required.
Battery Pack and Battery Gauge Problems (see also Power Problems)
Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Computer won't turn on
when battery pack is
inserted and power cord
is unplugged.
Battery pack is discharged. 1. Connect the computer to an external power source and
charge the battery pack.
2. Replace the battery pack with a fully charged battery
pack.
Battery connectors may be bent
or broken.
Check the battery connectors on the system board to
verify they are evenly spaced and that they are not bent
or broken.
Computer is beeping
and battery LED icon is
blinking.
Battery charge is low. Immediately save any open file(s). Then either:
● Connect the computer to an external power source
to charge the battery pack, or
● Turn off the computer or initiate Hibernation until
you can find another power source or charge the
battery pack.
Computer battery LED
icon (front on the unit)
blinks to indicate low
battery condition, but
computer does not beep.
Volume is turned down too low. Adjust the volume.
Battery LED icon doesn't
light and battery pack
won't fast charge.
Battery pack is already charged. No action is necessary.
Battery pack was exposed to
temperature extremes.
Allow time for the battery pack to return to room
temperature.
Battery pack is at end of its life. Replace battery pack.
You have to set the date
and time every time you
turn on the computer.
RTC battery is dead. Replace the RTC battery.
Battery pack is warm to
the touch after charging.
Normal warming has occurred due
to charging.
No action is required.
Battery pack operating
time is far less than the
documented average
operating time.
Power management is turned off
or disabled.
Enable power management in Computer Setup and in
Windows Power Properties.
An external device or PC Card is
draining the battery.
Turn off or disconnect external devices when not using
them.
Battery pack has partially selfdischarged.
Condition the battery pack by fully charging, fully
discharging, then fully recharging it.
To maintain the charge, leave battery packs in the
computer when it is connected to external power.
If the computer is disconnected from external power for
more than two weeks, remove battery packs from the
computer to reduce the discharge rate.
Battery pack is being exposed to
high temperatures or extremely
cold temperatures.
Keep the battery pack within the recommended
temperature ranges:
Operating: 50° F to 104° F (10° C to 40° C)
Storage: -4° F to 86° F (-20° C to 30° C )
Recharge the battery pack.
CD/DVD Drive Problems
Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
CD / DVD drive cannot
read a compact disc.
Compact disc is upside down or is
improperly inserted in the CD / DVD
drive.
Open the CD / DVD loading tray, lay the compact
disc in it (label side up), then close the tray.
Trying to read a CD Plus or
Pregap/Track 0 type disc with a 24x CDROM drive.
None - these types of CD are unreadable with this
drive.
Diskette and Diskette Drive Problems
Problem Probable Cause Solution(s)
Diskette drive
cannot write to
a diskette.
Diskette is write-protected. Disable the diskette's write-protect
feature or use a diskette that is not
write-protected.
Computer is writing to
the wrong drive.
Check the drive letter in the path
statement.
Not enough space is left
on the diskette.
Use another diskette.
Drive error has occurred. Run Computer Checkup from the
Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette. At the system
prompt, enter
FORMAT A:
Diskette drive
cannot read a
diskette.
The wrong type of
diskette is being used.
Use the type of diskette required by
the drive.
Diskette has a bad sector. Copy files to hard drive or another
diskette. Reformat bad floppy.
Drive error has occurred. Run Computer Checkup from the
Compaq Diagnostics diskette.
Diskette is not formatted. Format the diskette. At the system
prompt, enter
FORMAT A:
Cannot boot
from diskette.
Bootable diskette is not in
drive A.
Put the bootable diskette in drive A.
Diskette Boot has incorrect
setting in Computer Setup.
Run Computer Setup and set
diskette as first to boot.